Senate debates

Wednesday, 14 May 2014

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (23 speeches, 1 comment)
    I continue my speech from yesterday, when I was quoting the coalition's dissenting report. That report reads as though there are many, many unions acting improperly with members' funds but not...
  • Migration Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    The opposition will be supporting this legislation, the Migration Amendment Bill 2013. I must put on the record at the very start that one of the key reasons that we are supporting this...
  • Migration Amendment Bill 2013; Third Reading (3 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I shall call the minister to move the third reading unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Increased Employment Participation) Bill 2014; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    The Social Security Legislation Amendment (Increased Employment Participation) Bill 2014 is about helping young people find ongoing employment. It creates the Job Commitment Bonus for young...
• Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
  • Budget, Northern Australia (1 speech)
    I want to use the 15 minutes allowed to me in this matter of public interest debate today to talk about the future. Having just heard the previous speaker, can I start by saying that the future...
  • Budget (1 speech)
    I rise to speak today on a matter of public importance regarding the Abbott government's appalling budget. There is so much wrong with the budget that it is really hard to work out where to...
  • Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (3 speeches)
    In exactly one month's time from tomorrow, the World Heritage Committee will begin a 10-day meeting in Doha that will decide whether the Great Barrier Reef's world heritage status will remain...
  • Primary Industry (1 speech)
    Apart from my farewell next month, this is the last substantial speech I shall make in the Senate. I have thought long and hard about what I should say. What I want to do is leave all Australian...
  • Soma Coalmine Disaster (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak at a time of great sadness. The Australian Turkish community woke this morning to the news of the death of more than 150 coalmine workers in a tragic explosion. Our prayers...
  • Budget (3 speeches)
    I rise to discuss a matter of public interest for all the people of the Northern Territory. Last night's budget will not only hurt all Australians but it is particularly savage to the Northern...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Budget (23 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Nash. I refer to Prime Minister Abbott's pre-election promise: We are about getting rid of taxes, not imposing new taxes. Can the...
  • Medical Research Future Fund (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Nash. Can the minister update the Senate on the historic proposal for a world-leading new medical research fund announced in the...
  • Budget (54 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Nash. I refer to the Prime Minister's promise of 'no cuts to health'. Can the minister confirm that the Prime Minister is breaking his...
  • Indigenous Affairs (18 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Scullion. I refer the minister to the Prime Minister's pre-election promise that he would be a Prime Minister for Aboriginal...
  • Higher Education (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Human Services representing the Minister for Education, Senator Payne. Can the minister advise the Senate how the measures contained in last night's budget...
  • Budget (34 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. Minister, this budget has been widely considered to have the strongest consequences for those who can least afford it, whether it be...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today relating to the 2014-15 Budget. Budgets are about choices. They...
  • Budget (1 speech)
    (): I move: I could stand here today and talk about the fact that this is a government that has campaigned on the issue of broken promises and, indeed, within a few short months has broken...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—On behalf of the Chair of the Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Senator Boyce, I move: That the Community Affairs Legislation Committee be authorised to hold a private...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted for personal reasons to Senator O'Neill for 14 and 15 May 2014 and for personal reasons to Senator Carr for 15 May 2014. Question agreed to.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Western Australia: Shark Culling (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that the Western Australian Government's shark drum line program ceased on 30 April 2014, and that the Western Australian Government has applied to...
  • Egypt, Greste, Mr Peter (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes with concern the ongoing deterioration of democratic principles in Egypt, evidenced by: (i) the arbitrary arrest of more than 16 000 protestors since the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Livestock Exports; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That there be laid on the table, no later than 23 May 2014, by the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, all documents and correspondence relating to Livestock Shipping...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Intelligence and Security Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Fawcett, I move : That the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Wright, I move: That the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order...
  • Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Smith, I move: That the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit be authorised to hold private meetings otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Macdonald, I move: That the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Thursday,...
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Back, I move: That the Education and Employment Legislation Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Wednesday, 14 May 2014...
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Fawcett, I move: That the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with...
  • Treaties Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Fawcett, I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties be authorised to hold public meetings during the sittings of the Senate, from 11 am to 1 pm, as follows:...
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Thorp, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Environment and Communications References Committee on its inquiry into Great Barrier Reef be...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Wright, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee on its inquiry into Manus Island Detention...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Macdonald, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee on its inquiry into the provisions of...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Australian Netball Team (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Cash and Senator McKenzie, I move: That the Senate— (a) recognises that sport is integral to life for so many Australians and that the Australian Government has a...
  • Nigeria (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senators Cash, Brandis, Wong, Milne, Moore and Waters, I move: That the Senate notes that: (a) Australia condemns the group responsible for the abduction of more than 200 school...
  • National Volunteers Week (1 speech)
    At the request of Senators Cash, Fifield and Fierravanti-Wells, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the week of 12 May to 18 May 2014, is the 25th anniversary of National Volunteer...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • National Broadband Network - Select Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Lundy, I move: That the time for the presentation of the final report of the Select Committee on the National Broadband Network be extended to the last day of sitting of...
  • National Broadband Network Select Committee; Reporting Date (2 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Lundy, I move: That the time for the presentation of the final report of the Select Committee on the National Broadband Network be extended to the last day of sitting of the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Note Printing Australia; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Acting Assistant Treasurer (Senator Cormann), no later than 5 pm on 16 June 2014, the report prepared by KPMG for the Reserve Bank of Australia,...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Abbott Government (14 speeches)
    A letter has been received from Senator Moore: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion: The Abbott...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Polley, I present the 5th report of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest no 5, dated 2014. Ordered...
  • Regulations and Ordinances Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Edwards, I present the Delegated Legislation Monitor No. 5 for 2014.
  • Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present report No. 3 of 2014—'Referral made December 2013'. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Treaties Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Fawcett, I present the 139th report of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties—'Treaties tabled on 11 December 2013; referred on 15 January; and tabled on 11 February...
  • Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I present report No. 441—'Inquiry into the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 Rules...
  • Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit; Documents (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I table a statement on the draft estimates for the Australian National Audit Office and the Parliamentary Budget Office for 2014-15...
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order, I present the report of the Education and Employment Legislation Committee on the provisions of the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Green Army Programme) Bill 2014,...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2014; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, Senator Eggleston, I present the report of the committee on the Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Senator Bernardi, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Omnibus Repeal Day (Autumn...
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by the Community Affairs References Committee on its inquiry into Commonwealth funding and administration of mental health services.
  • Human Rights Committee; Report (7 speeches)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the sixth report of the 44th Parliament of the committee: Examination of legislation in accordance with the Human Rights...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee on the implementation of the Defence Trade Controls legislation. Ordered that the report be printed. I move:...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Abbot Point; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Cormann, I table documents relating to the order for the production of documents concerning dredging at Abbot Point.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Public Works Committee; Membership (1 speech)
    ( by leave—I move: That Senator Boyce be appointed as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Bill 2014, Tax Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 1) Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    I indicate to the Senate that these bills are being introduced together. After debate on the motion for the second reading has been adjourned, I will be moving a motion to have the bills listed...
  • Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Bill 2014, Tax Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 1) Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speeches read as follows— MAJOR SPORTING...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Report (8 speeches)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the Chair of the Education and Employment References Committee, I present the report on the technical and further education system, together with the...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of Senator Wong I give notice that on the next day of sitting she will move that: When the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee meets to consider...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Abbott Government's Commission of Audit Select Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I leave—I present the interim report of the Abbott Government's Commission of Audit Select Committee. I move: That the Senate adopt the recommendation contained in the interim report that...
  • Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee, I present the report on departmental and agency contracts together with a Hansard record of...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Increased Employment Participation) Bill 2014; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    Youth unemployment is a very big issue for Australia and for young Australians. I regret to say this is particularly the case for my home state of Tasmania. According to the latest figures from...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Torres Strait Regional Authority — Report for 2012-13 — Corrigendum (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I wanted to draw the Senate's attention to the Torres Strait Regional Authority Report and the corrigendum, as a way of drawing attention to the...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Federal Government (1 speech)
    It will come as no news to other senators in this place that I have a longstanding commitment to our federation. The Australian Constitution was founded on a very sound principle of clearly...
  • Nagy, Mrs Eva (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about a very fine woman from South Australia, Eva Nagy, who was born in Hungary in January 1928 and has made a terrific contribution to the beauty of Adelaide and its wonderful...
  • South Australia: Red Cross (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to speak about one of the best aspects of my work as a senator: getting to meet with the many good-hearted and generous people involved in organisations throughout...
  • Primary Industry (1 speech)
    I have been a senator for less than 100 days, yet, as I travel across Queensland and the wider nation, I truly feel a sense of renewed vigour in rural and regional communities because government...